“Fair sweet comrade,” said Aucassin, “know you ought of this Nicolette, of whom you have sung?”
“Sir, yes! I know of her as the noblest creature and the gentlest and wisest that ever was born. And she is daughter to the kingof Carthage, who took her when Aucassin was taken, and carried her to the city of Carthage, when he knew surely that she was his daughter, and made very great rejoicing over her. And every day they wish to give her for lord one of the highest kings in all Spain. But she would rather let herself be hanged or drowned than she would take any of them, were he ever so rich.”
“Ah, fair sweet comrade,” said the Count Aucassin, “if you would go back to that land, and would tell her to come and speak to me, I would give you of my wealth as much as you should dare ask or take. Know, moreover, that for the love of her I will take no wife, were she of ever so high degree, but I wait for her; nor will I ever have any wife save her. And had I known where to find her I should not now have to seek her.”
“Sir,” said she, “if you would do this, I would go to seek her, for your sake, and for hers, whom I love much.”
He sware to her; and then he bade give her twenty pounds. And as she took leave of him, he fell weeping for the sweetness of Nicolette. And when she saw him weeping,
“Sir,” said she, “be not afraid! Sincewithin a little while I will bring her to you in this town, so that you shall see her.”
And when Aucassin heard it he was very glad. And she took leave of him, and went into the town to the house of the Viscountess; for the Viscount her godfather was dead. She harboured her there; and spoke with her till she confessed her affair to her, and the Viscountess recognised her, and knew surely that it was Nicolette, and that she had brought her up. And she made her be washed and bathed, and sojourn there a full eight days. And she took a plant which was called Celandine and anointed herself with it, and she was as beautiful as she had ever been at any time. And she clad herself in rich silk stuffs, of which the lady had good store, and she sat her down in the room on a quilted coverlet of cloth-of-silk, and called the lady, and told her to go for Aucassin her friend. And she did so. And when she came to the palace she found Aucassin weeping and lamenting for Nicolette his love, because she tarried so long. And the lady accosted him and said:
“Aucassin, now make no more lament, but come away with me, and I will show you the thing in the world you love best, for it isNicolette, your sweet friend, who from far land is come to seek you.” And Aucassin was glad.
Here they sing.
Now when Aucassin did hearOf his bright-of-favour fere,That she had arrived the shore,Glad was he, he ne’er was more.With the dame he went his way,Till the house made stop nor stay.To the chamber went they inWhere sat Nicolette within.When she saw her lover there,Glad she was, so was she ne’er.Towards him to her feet leapt she.Aucassin, when he did see,Both his arms to her he holds,Gently to his bosom folds,Kisses her on eyes and face.So they left him the night’s space,Till the morrow’s morning-tideAucassin took her to bride,Made her Lady of Beaucaire.Many days they then did fare,And their pleasure did enjoy.Now has Aucassin his joy,Nicolette too the same way.Here endeth our song-and-say;I know no further.
printed byturnbull and spears,edinburgh
[39]The device of the warder is to give his warning in the guise of anAubade, as if he were merely singing for his own amusement. TheAubade, or Watch-song, was a favourite lyrical form in Southern France. It was originally a dialogue between the lover, the lady, and the watchman who played sentinel, and warned them that the Dawn was coming.
[48]This piece of verse is remarkable for the evident intention of playfulness in it. All the lines end in a diminutive termination, and all the proper names also; Esmeret, Martinet, Fruelin, Johanet, Aubriet, Aucassinet. It seemed impossible to preserve this playfulness in any direct way, without sacrifice of literal rendering and without changing the proper names. I have tried to give a little of it by the use of dissyllabic rhymes.
[57]Three lines are torn away in the original MS.
[62]The custom of a husband taking to his bed when his wife has borne a child is a curious superstition well-known to ethnologists and folk-lore students. The convenient name ofCouvade, though originally applied to this custom by a mistake, has now become recognised, and it seems best to retain it.
[66]It is unknown what the game ofNimpoleorNypolletewas. But elsewhere it is coupled with games played on a board,jeux de tables, as if of the same nature as draughts or chess.